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Walter and Skyler were about to get divorced. But Skyler being calculating and manipulative knew that without money she would not be able to survive, so reconciled with Walter. He happily obliged in spite of Skyler's previous humiliation and coldness towards him.

Walter could have had better chances of success of providing for his family being away from the present city and restarting his business someplace else as a complete unknown personality (with or without Gus).

In this way,

Hank would have never caught hold of the book which Gale had presented to Walter.

Does this show that Walter was weak minded in spite of being smart and his poor choices got to him again here?

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    I don't think your first paragraph is correct... Skyler didn't stay with Walter because she wanted money. She stayed with him mostly for the sake of not wanting the kids to find out, and also because of her own confused feelings towards Walt.
    – GendoIkari
    Jul 19, 2017 at 13:38
  • GendoIkari-I do not remember the episode name but there is a scene where Skyler comes across the bag of cash that Walt has hidden in his closet. The look on her face said it all . Money seduced her.
    – moonberry
    Jul 19, 2017 at 13:42
  • Your assumption hidden by the spoiler assumes that Walter values the mentioned item enough to take it. I'm not sure he cared that much for it as it's rarely brought up in episodes
    – gabe3886
    Jul 20, 2017 at 11:43
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    @moonrika "The look on her face said it all . Money seduced her." ... No ... no that is a sad, confused interpretation :/
    – Ghoti and Chips
    Jul 21, 2017 at 8:24
  • @gabe3886- Walter did go back to check on that book in the bathroom once he came to know that Hank started behaving weirdly. Cared enough to remember that it is a potential give away.
    – moonberry
    Jul 21, 2017 at 15:00

2 Answers 2

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It shows what Walter is always all about : Pride

Throughout the entire show (at least past season 1) Walter has more than enough money to provide for his family. His deals with Gus makes him a millionaire but he still won't quit and he manipulates Jesse into staying with him by removing all distractions (read women) so that they can keep doing what they do best : Chemistry.

Walter White is an incredibly talented chemist and yet he is just a small teacher in high school. A nobody. But he deserves more, right? Past a certain point in the series, Walter fades away and Heisenberg remains. The famous drug lord who is the only one able to make blue meth.

If Heisenberg was to go away then his name dies out and he will be forgotten and that'd be unacceptable.

In a way you are right "his poor choices got to him again here" but not because he was weak minded but because he was too stubborn, selfish and proud.

Edit: It is basically like cucking your neighbor. The best part is that it's right in front of his (read Hank's) eyes and yet he doesn't catch you. That's where the thrill comes from : being on the edge

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  • Hank, not Frank :) I assume.
    – Flater
    Jul 19, 2017 at 15:00
  • Yeah I misrembered his name ><
    – Liquid Same
    Jul 19, 2017 at 15:06
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    "It is basically like cucking your neighbour" CRINGE ALERT
    – Ghoti and Chips
    Jul 21, 2017 at 8:18
  • Abandon ship, women and children first !
    – Liquid Same
    Jul 21, 2017 at 8:24
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People like Walter White are not made, nor do they come about by conscious choices they make.

People like Walter White are formed, by circumstances and forces outside of their control.

What started it all? His cancer. What compelled him to persevere? The 727k he needed to insure his family's stability after he passes.

But even then, he continued on. Why? Because there's no greater feeling in the world than being really really good at something, and making a lot of money from it. Couple that with the adage that the sweetest fruit comes from the forbidden tree...

There's a theory by Kenneth Burke(I think) that explains how identity is finely shaped and well defined in conflict and challenge. Walter White fits this theory quite well.

But to call his rise and fall little more than "bad choices" is reductive. It ignores the complex character that is Walter White.

His story is outstanding and fascinating, because I think every one of us who saw the show and enjoyed saw the truth: what he went thru could have happened to any one of us.

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  • Except we're not genius chemists so we'd have just laid down and executed part 1 of 3 : accept your death
    – Liquid Same
    Jul 21, 2017 at 8:25

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